Marionette

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Stiles, come on. She's having nightmares. Isn't there anything you can do about them?" Grace says into her desk phone.

"Will you give her time Grace? This is recent, maybe she needs time," Brett Stiles' voice echoes from the other end of the phone. His distinct voice leaving the young rookie speachless.

"But-"

"No Grace. She needs time. Tell me if the nightmares continue after a week and then I'll come check on her," Stiles says, flipping through papers on his desk, disinterested in what she was saying.

"She's showing signs of hypnosis, Brett. Jane has picked it up," Van Pelt says hurriedly.

"She's what?" Stiles asks, standing up at his desk.

"Jane has-"

"I'll be over to check on her as soon as I can," Stiles hisses, putting down the phone.

Timidly, Teresa stands behind Van Pelt's chair. Having overheard the last sentence that Stiles had practically yelled, she suddenly felt sick to her stomach. 

"Lisbon," Van Pelt hurriedly swings her chair around to face her boss, having seen her small figure reflected in the screen of her computer monitor. "What's the matter?"

"I just came to tell you and the team that I'm heading home. I don't feel too well," Lisbon whispers, not realizing that the words were seeping out of her mouth.

"Are you sure you can't stay?" Grace asks, knowing that Stiles would not be impressed if he showed up and Teresa was in fact not there.

"I really feel sick. I don't think I've slept enough," her excuses were beginning to scare herself. Why did she fear Stiles checking on her so much? She'd dealt with him before after all.

"You could sleep in your office. Jane does," Van Pelt says, standing up.

"No no, I agree with Lisbon that she should go home and rest," Jane says from his couch, startling Van Pelt even more. How long had he been there?

"Thanks Jane," Lisbon says, running a hand through her hair in an attempt to calm herself down.

"In fact, I'll drive you. Go get your things," Jane smiles lightly, standing up.

"No no Jane, that's-"

"I insist Teresa," Jane says, ushering her out of the bullpen. When she's safely in her office, Jane turns to look at the guilty redhead in front of him."What does Stiles have to do with anything?"

"I don't know," Grace lies unsuccessfully.

"Please," Jane says sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"Just drop it, Jane!" Grace hisses, stepping around him and walking hurriedly out of the bullpen.

Rolling his eyes again, Jane walks to Lisbon's office. 

"Ready to go?"

"I think so," Teresa says, studying the dying daisies on her desk.

"You can get more tomorrow," Jane says.

"Leave it alone, Jane."

- - -

"Damn," Jane whispers as he steps inside her apartment. It was the first time he was entering it and he was a bit shocked to see the daisies filling every space available.

"It's messy, I know."

"You don't really feel sick, do you?" Jane asks.

"I do," Teresa lies, setting her things down in a chair and turning towards the kitchen. She knew that he wouldn't leave without a cup of tea.

"You're a bad liar," Jane laughs, following her to the kitchen. Her cheeks, immediately staining red, gives away her lie.

"Tea?" Lisbon questions, ignoring his statement.

"Yes please," Jane smiles at her, leaning against her counter.Crash!The two look, startled, to see a vase of daisies lying on the floor. The vase lying, broken in a puddle of water.

"Get out!" Teresa yells at Jane.

"I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"Get out!" Teresa yells again, shoving Jane towards the door.Taking the hint, the consultant retreats out of the house, the daisies still lying trampled on the floor.

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